The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1887-04-08


interior Of gambling house, or hell a. tits
sometimes more appropriately called, he would
bs pleased TO show u ~ ss g, enc Of the sights
or 'liens' Of the city. Never having witnessed
any thing oftho kind, both and my friend
asseutsd, and after . abort walk, found cur
selves within the precincts Of ono Of those
giittering and gorgesusly furnished establish
ments-ves.ibules to the Internal regions
where men are engaged In various games Of
hazard. ''i ...'. '.-"'. '
Tho interior Of gambling house has been
| too frequently described to need repetition.
The Faro Bank with its crowd Of betiers, the
Rouge ct Noir table with its anxious circle, and
groups Of players at other games Of which
Was ignorant Of, the name, were all busily en-.
gagged as we entered. We had passad through
tive apartments, and reached a third, in which
were bat four players, playing In pairs ..
| different tahles. As we entered, We sat down
at an unoccupied table for mement, when,
Is We did 80, we heard one Of the two men
nearest us say TO his opponent
| That's the last dollar; luck Is yours, and
But you wear good ring said his oppo-
nent See Twill give you chance for re-
renge. I'll back my ring against yours on the
next game. lisa ring won at play from
Kentucky boy that came to New Orleans to see
the sights said he carelcssly. s
| How little did no know those words, 30
lightly spoken, had sealed his doom.
MOI said his opponent, rising, I'll meet
you tomorrow night 1 won't pledge my
jewelry yet i
As the player, who was sitting with his back
partially turnsd towards Us, mentioned Ken.
tucky in his conversation, 1 saw Thorn listen
with esgerness, and as he twisted tho ring he
offered to bet upon his finger, saw the Ken
tuckian turn deadly pale. His eyes glousd
like fre for an instant, then his countenanes
again resumed its usual calm and placid look
and, to our amazement, he rose, and walked
across tho apartment to the player, Who hsd
just been left BY his companion, osurteously
proposed to Try hand or, Two with him 81
agreeable, and II ws, his friends, would excuse
him for short time. or course ue assented
SO did the gambler, who appeared at first some
what surprised at the proposition, but prob
ably resolved to try his sktll upon the new
conner.
| The cards were dealt, and the game pro-
cesded.' We were sufficiently nc,rto SEQ that
the piece of gold which constituted the frst
stake was won by our friends oppon ent, 50,
also, was tho second. The third s,sk, Thorn
gained. And thus they went On alternately
winning and losing, Till at last Thorn osreIessly
observed: ..a..'f ' ..'t ~
That's pretty ring you offered to bet, o
while ago, stranger. Will you sell it?'
Wen, a. to that said the other, 'jt's pretty
| enough, and cost me enough-for young fsi-
low pledged It to mo some three years ago as q
sort Of note OF hand, which he promised to re-
deem with i've hundred dollars ,ha, he owed
me-a debt Of honor, sir-but he never paid
1t, 60 retain tho ring. No, stranger, guess
| I won't sell it, ,..I
But the ownsrf You should have made
him pay. Five hundred dollars is dear price
for such bauble.' sk
Why, as to that" said the player as he
gathered mp his cards for the next hand, she
couldn't come to time very we'll, for .hs paid
the debt Of nature a. they say, The sams
night, and that cancelled my oblsation.l Az I
tho stakes mine-there's luck in this ring,
sir, believe said he, as he drew the money
towards him, suppose We try larger stake
and he prepared to shafas the cards again.
As you like said Thorn.
We'll, what shall it -bef said his opponent,
anything from one to five huudredi p and he
rhrew bank note Of that denomination care
lessly, As il in bravado, upon the table.
| To our surprise Thorn drewEs wallet from
his pocket, and produced an equal amount Of
money, then sweeping the cards they had been
using from the table to the floor, he called for
fresh pack, and passing them, as the aiten-
dant brought them to him, rapidly through his
hand, hs gave them to his adversary, renark-
Ing to him a. he did 50, to mind his deal this
time' fixing upon him searching glance as
he went through that operation. Tho game
was that known as bluff or poker I know
not which, but at any rate oae on which the
players bet upon tho cards they hold. Thorn
and his opponent. having each glanced at their
cards, commenced the game. - ~.A%
Tn 60 you one hundred said Thorn, COM
msncing.
Two hundred better than that said his op-
ponent.
Another hundred, continued Thorn.
Hmm three hundred bet,err said the
gambler, producing the notes from his pocket
book.
Three hundred more said Thorn, quietly.
The game was getting exciting to us as spec
tators. Three thousand dollars lny upon the
table To be decided By the cards held by the
players, each Of whom seemed from his BET, 10
oe o'nhdsnt Of success, though their counte.
nances betrayed not tho least emotion.
One hundred more, said the gambler. .o.;n
Il call you,' said Thorn. N
An three kings and an ae.r s.;d ,bs
sharper, triumphsnty.